KL Rahul Smashes 8000-Run Record in Style with Century Blitz Against Gujarat Titans

In a night to remember at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capitals’ star wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul made history by becoming the fastest Indian to score 8,000 runs in T20 cricket, surpassing the legendary Virat Kohli. Rahul not only reached this milestone in remarkable fashion but also powered Delhi Capitals to a dominant total in their IPL 2025 clash against Gujarat Titans.

Rahul, playing his 237th T20 match and 224th innings, achieved the landmark with a six off Kagiso Rabada in the sixth over. With this, he surpassed Kohli’s record of 243 innings and became the third-fastest player in the world to reach 8,000 T20 runs—behind only Chris Gayle (213 innings) and Babar Azam (218 innings). The top five are now:

1. Chris Gayle – 213 innings
2. Babar Azam – 218 innings
3. KL Rahul – 224 innings
4. Virat Kohli – 243 innings
5. Mohammad Rizwan – 244 innings

Rahul has been in scintillating form in his debut season with Delhi Capitals, and Sunday’s performance only strengthened his standing. Promoted to open the innings, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, crafting a spectacular unbeaten 112 off 65 deliveries, decorated with 14 boundaries and 4 sixes.

The match, Delhi’s 11th of the season, saw them post an imposing total of 199/3 in 20 overs after Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to field first. The decision initially looked promising when Arshad Khan dismissed Faf du Plessis for 16 in the fourth over. But that was where Gujarat’s luck ended.

KL Rahul took control from that moment, launching a calculated assault on the Titans’ bowling attack. Abishek Porel provided solid support, scoring 30 off 19 balls, including three sixes. The pair stitched together a crucial second-wicket partnership, laying the foundation for a big total.

After Porel’s dismissal—caught by Jos Buttler off Sai Kishore—Axar Patel stepped in and added a quickfire 25 from 16 deliveries, including two fours and a six. He too was dismissed by Sai Kishore, again caught by Buttler.

Tristan Stubbs added the finishing touches with a late cameo, hammering 21 not out off 10 balls, including two massive sixes in the final overs. But the night belonged to KL Rahul, whose brilliant ton not only anchored the innings but also set social media buzzing with his record-breaking feat.

Among Gujarat’s bowlers, Arshad Khan, Prasidh Krishna, and Ravichandran Sai Kishore each picked up one wicket. However, their efforts were overshadowed by Delhi’s batting dominance. Kagiso Rabada endured a tough evening, leaking 34 runs in just two overs. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Siraj, though economical at times, couldn’t make any breakthroughs.

With the pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium favoring the batters, Gujarat Titans now face the challenging task of chasing down 200 runs. Though the surface provides scoring opportunities, Delhi’s well-rounded bowling attack, paired with the pressure of a high target, could make life difficult for the Titans.

KL Rahul’s explosive form is proving to be one of the highlights of IPL 2025. With 422 runs in 11 matches at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 142, he’s leading from the front and is a strong contender for the Orange Cap.

As the tournament heads toward its business end, Delhi Capitals are peaking at the right time, and KL Rahul’s record-breaking night has set the stage for an electrifying finish to the league.

Team Maverick